Chess Video Lessons

White has a plethora of formations against the Scheveningen, so IM Ginsburg first tackles the lesser-quality options 6. Bg5 and 6. f4. He doesn't hold these moves in high esteem. Against the former, Black chucks some pawns down the queenside and gets the open files first. Against the latter, a timely ...e5 gives Black good play in the center. He'll get to 6. Be2 and 6. g4 next, but for today, let's knock out the sidelines! | Watch video

IM Mark Ginsburg continues his series on how to deal with the Smith-Morra Gambit by showing how Black should tackle some early sidelines in the Evans Defence. How to respond to Lenderman's early e5 lunge (the Nf6-g4-e5 & Bd6-e5 maneuvers!), what to play against Bc1-f4 (counterattack with Nf6-h5!) and Bc1-e3 (an early Nf6-d7!), it's all explained in this video, which also includes some instructive computer lines. | Watch video

Before tackling the main lines of the Smith-Morra, IM Mark Ginsburg first shows a pair of "coffeehouse" variations for white that have been popularized in opening manuals. Learn how to make them "decaffeinated" by watching how black can calmly keep his extra pawn and get the better of the opening. | Watch video

IM Mark Ginsburg begins his discussion of how to deal with white's supercharged intentions in the Smith-Morra Gambit. He first shows a black domination by GM Larry Evans, whose early ...a6 defense was so successful that they named it after him - he was, after all, playing the opening's namesake FM Kenneth Smith! Ginsburg also shows a missed chance by Fischer, proving that both sides can play for a win. | Watch video

IM Mark Ginsburg takes us into the new year by bringing his mini-series on the Classical Nimzo to a close! He reviews the sharp and topical 5.e4 variation, and he provides a good piece of general advice in addition to well prepared theory: Attack the center! By opening and challenging white's development early and often, black finds complete equality in multiple lines. He encourages you to try it for yourself... | Watch video

In Part 2 IM Ginsburg reviews one of his own games in the Nimzo Indian against fellow International Master, Sal Bercys. His clear explanations of why he believe's black's best choice against 5.Nf3 is 5... d5 are very convincing. He reviews all the critical lines, and displays black's reoccurring theme of punishing white for the lost time, in order to compensate for black's loss of the Bishop Pair. | Watch video

Our second featured author for the month of December is International Master Mark Ginsburg. Today he begins a new series, targeted towards Intermediate-Advanced level players looking to strengthen their openings repertoire's in the Nimzo Indian. He provides solid analysis, recommending his approach 5... 0-0 with 6... d6 against the Main Line Classical Nimzo with 5.a3. He also gives good general advice on how to deal with an imbalance like the Bishop Pair. | Watch video

The climax to this short, theoretical driven video series on the Keres Attack provides us with a practical game example. International Master Ginsburg once against highlights black's critical ideas, and displays the critical variations and tactics for us. As we learn here, if white plays too aggressively, he will likely find himself the subject of a mating attack, rather than the other way around... | Watch video

This weekend IM Mark Ginsburg brings us a very modern and interesting idea -- once thought to be a positional blunder -- in the Scheveningen Sicilian. With this video lecture, and solid preparation to follow, black can add a dangerous surprise weapon to his repertoire. The early e5-pawn advance forces white's hand and heads toward forcing variations. Remember the early h5 advance and have fun! | Watch video

Technically, the first line covered in IM Mark Ginsburg's new video series is an "old move", but Mark manages to shed new light on this variation with solid preparation. He provides a solid introduction into the basic ideas behind the Keres Attack for beginners, yet he also dives deep into the tricky "race positions" that govern this sharp Open Sicilian. Take notes and do his homework! | Watch video

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